Slicing machine



NOV. 29, 1932. wl J CAMPBELL 1,889,538

SLICING MACHINE Filed May 10, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 u FZ @MMM

Nov. 29, 1932. w ,1 CAMPBELL 1,889,538

K SLICING MACHINE Filed May 10, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ff? N Patented Nov. 29, 1932 UNITED sTATEs PATENT oFF-ICE SLICING MACHINE COMPANY, F CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 0F NEW YORK sLIcING MACETINE Application led May 1t-3,.

' tion is to provide improved housing or en- Cil closing means for the device, and particularly means for enclosing or housing the knife itself and the drive therefor. Another 0bject is the provision of easily removable housing parts or members, whereby access may easily be had to the interior of the housing. Another object is the provision of an im-l proved pusher plate, and 'particularly to means for permitting the pusher plate, and the work thereon, to be tilted out of operative position, Vfor inspection of the work, without disengaging the work from the pusher plate. Other objects will appear from` time to time in the course of the specification and claims. .l Y

I illustrate my invention more or less" diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, whereinf Figure 1 is an elevation;

Figure 2 is a top plan View with parts broken laway and parts in section;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3%-3 of Figure 1; Y

Figure` 4 is a view of a housing guard plate;

Figure 5 is an end elevation of thepusher plate and associated parts; and

Figure 6 is a partial end View illustrating a housing guard plate.

Like parts are indicated by like symbols throughout the specification and drawings.

A generally indicates any suitable base member which may be provided, for eXample, with the yielding studs or ground engaging elements A1, whereby the transmis sion of vibration is reduced.

B is any suitable housing member upward ly projecting from the base A. Associated with it is the motor housing B1. rlhe shaft B2 of the motor, with the pulley B3` thereon, projects within the housing B and carries the belt B4. B5 indicates ahousing exten- 1929.k serial no. 361,917.

sion, associated with or forming part of the housing B which substantially` covers the rear face of the knife, as shown in Figure 2, as by the apron B6. V Mounted within it is the knifeshaft B7 with the knife B8 thereon and the knife pulley B9 about `which passes the belt B4. l

C indicates a similar upward housing extension` upon theopposite end of the slicing machine frame or base A. Mounted for movement in relation to the housing C is the gauge plate C1 the position of which may be` adjusted, through any suitable chain of gears or other mechanism, in response to rotation of the knob- G2. The details of the gauge-'plate and the adjusting means there# for do not of themselves form any part of the present invention and will not be considered in detail. -r

D indicates a cover member extending over the housings B and C and closing the upper portions thereof. It -terminates about its edge in aj flange D1V which Amay rest on corresponding ianges D2 on the two housings. Associated with the housings A and B are thickened upper portions Da which may be penetrated for example by the securing screws D4 with their lingerpieces D5 which pass through the top of the cover portion D. The sides of the cover are also shown asy slotted as at D, the purpose of these slots being considered below.

. Closing the front of the housing B, and thus protecting and enclosing the maj or-portion of the knife B8 is th-e guard plate generally indicated as E and shown in detail in Figure 4. This guard plate has an upper edge E1 which penetrates, asshown in Figure 3 upwardly within the flange of the cover D; It is shown, as in lFigure 4, as notched or slotted at E2, E2, these notches being aligned with the slots D6 of the cover D. Aligned with them are adjusting abutments E3 which may for example be screw threaded into the members D3, and which in turn receive Vthe screw threaded portions El of the securing members or screws E5, which exert, with the abutments E4, a clamping action on theupper edge of the guard plate E, at the slotted. portions E2. Y Y

soL

The plate E is further provided with the arcuate edge E6 which seats in the recessed front of the knife B3. The bottom of the plate E is also slotted, as at E7 E7, which slots may be aligned with adjustable abutments E3 which may be identical with those shown as at E3, and which receive the securing thumb screws E3, which may be substantially identical with the similar screws E3. The slots E7 are shown of such a size or length as to permit the plate E, when it is dropped to lowermost position, to clear the lower edge of the cover member D. E1o generally indicates a member, preferably fixed in relation tothe frame B, in relation to which the abutments E3 may be adjusted, as by rotation. E11 indicates any suitable scraper supported upon the plate E, its details forming no part H of the present invention.

G indicates a removable end closure plate for the housing B. It may for example be supported as by the screw G1 which, when loosened, will permit the plate to be tilted or fr rotated. The lower end of the plate may be held as for example by the screw G2 which passes through the slot G3.

H H1 indicate respectively a supporting and a guide track mounted upon the base A.

y.- Mounted thereon is the carriage member H2 with its handle H3 and its downward projection H4, the adjustment members H3 HG of which engage opposite sides of the guide track H1. Mounted on the carriage H2 is any suitablework supporting member generally indicated at H7 with a side flange H3 along the edge which is nearest to the knife when the carriage is withdrawn to the position in which it is shown in Figure l. The flange H3 is herein shown as vertical and as lying in a. plane perpendicular to the cutting plane of the knife. An important function of the flange H3 is to serve as a limit or positioning stop for the meat being cut.

Mounted upon the work support H7 are a pair of spaced guiding sleeves J which are supported for example by the members J1 upon the base portion J2 which may be screwed or bolted or otherwise secured to the member H7. Slidable in the sleeves J are the two guiding pins J3 which are oined, at their outer ends, by the yoke structure J4, and at their inner ends by a corresponding yoke structure J3. Downwardly depending from the yoke structure J3 are the arms J 3 to I the lower en-ds of which is pivoted the face or pusher plate J7 or, more correctly, the plate J 3 which is riveted or otherwise permanently secured to the plate J7. J 3 indicate ears formed on the plate J7 which are pivoted to the arms J 3 and J10 indicate ears to which are pivoted the arms J11 which in turn are pivoted as at J12 to arms J13 the opposite ends of which are pivoted as at J11 to ears J13 on the `rear yoke J4. The arms J11 may be connected, as by the handle J13. When the arms J11 J13 are in the position shown in full line in Figure 5 the plate J7 is vertical. Then the handle J1G is upwardly lifted, the plate J7 is tilted into the dotted line position.

In order to limit the movement of the arms J11 J13 I provide limit stops J17 J77 which abut against corresponding limit stops J1S upon the yoke J3.

Note that by positioning the axis of rotation of the plate J7 adjacent one edge, for example its lower edge, I permit it to be swung out of position without thrusting any portion of the work more closely against the gauge plate, as would be the case if the pivot point were intermediate the edges of the plate J7.

It will be realized that whereas I have described and shown a practical and operative device, nevertheless many changes might be made in the size, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention. I therefore wish my description and drawings to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative and diagrammatic rather than as limiting me to my specific showing. The use and operation of my invention are as follows:

In slicing machines of the type herein disclosed, in which a sharp circular knife is rotated at high speed by a motor it is important that the interior of the housing be protected so far as possible from bits of meat and the like which adhere to the knife. IVhen the knife is used on fatty substances, such as ham or bacon, its high rate of speed creates by friction suiiicient heat to cause larding or the deposit of lard or grease on the knife. The scraper E11 is instrumental in removing from the blade at least a substantial proportion of the material it so adheres. However, inevitably material does pass within the housing and where the device is used on heavy duty, as in packing houses, where it may be in almost continuous operation, access to the interior of the housing becomes important. This is true not only to permit cleaning, but to give access to the belt, grinding means and the like. I have therefore developed a device which gives a high degree of protection or enclosure, but which is nevertheless susceptible of easy access. Thus the cover member D may be quickly removed, by the rotation and removal of the securing screws D3, which are so formed as to be easily rotated by the fingers. The cover may be lifted off without interfering with the position of the guard plates. On the other hand the guard plates may be easily removed without interfering with the position of the cover. Thus if the securing screws E3 are loosened and then the securing screws E9 the plate E may drop or be lowered until the inner ends of the notches E7 rest on the screws E. When in such position its upper edge clears the depending flange of the cover D and the plate lili maybe swung into the dotted position in which it is shown in Figure 3 and lifted from the screws E9 and removed. Iti-may be reinserted in the same way and the whole operation, the removal and reinsertion may be accomplished in a few seconds. Similarly the end plate G may be swung in an instant into the open position, to permit access to the end of the housing. d Y Mounted upon the work supporting member H7 I have illustrated a follower or pusher or face plate which is particularly adaptable for use in slicing or reducing operations in which one substance is being trimmed off of another. For example in cutting certain pieces of meat in packing house products it may be desirable to trim off all fat from a lean piece or all the lean from a fat piece. The operator, in such case, cannot determine whether or not he has completed his operation, without inspecting'the face of the work. Or at least, he can do it much more rapidly and with a minimum of waste, by inspecting the face of the work.` F or this reason I provide a plate which can be used to thrust the meat against the gauge Vplate or back plate C1 but which may be swung, for example, about a horizontal axis, without detaching the work from it, to permit the operator to inspect the face of the work. Hence the links J J13 which'normally hold the plate J 7 in the vertical full line position in which itis shown in Figure 5. An upward lift on the handle J permits the operator to inspect the Condition ofthe face of the work.

Vlien he again depresses the handled16 the work plate J7 may be returned exactly to the position in which they were prior to the inspection, with the work abutting against the gauge or back plate and the carriage may then be reciprocated past the cutting edge for a further cutting stroke, if such stroke is still necessary.

I claim:

l. In a slicing machine, a base, a supporting structure upwardly extending therefrom, a rotary knife mounted upon said supporting structure, the supporting Astructure substantially enclosing the rear of the knife, a guard plate, a cover member overlying the supporting structure and surrounding the upper edge of the guard plate when the guard plate is in operative position, said guard plate being provided adjacent its lower edge with securing apertures, securing members enetrating said apertures and adapted to hold the guard plate fixed against movement in relation to the supporting structure, the apertures being of such size as to permit the upper edge of the guard plate to clear the cover member when the securing members are loosened, and the guard plate drops for the full height of the apertures. i. v

2. In av slicing machine including a rotary knife and means for rotating it and a supporting structure upon which. the knife is mounted, a guard plate overlying the forward face ofthe knife, said guard plate being provided witli vertical slots at top and-bottom, in communication with the upper and lower edges of said guard plate, and secuiingmembers aligned with said slots and adapted to hold said guard plateV normally fixed in relation to said supporting structure.

3. In a slicing machine including a rotary knife and means for rotating it and a supporting structure upon which the knife is mounted, a guard plate overlying the forward face of the knife, said guard vided with vertical slots at the bottom, in communication with the'lower edge of said guard plate, and securing members aligned with said slots and adapted to hold said guard plate normally fixed in relation to said supporting structure. Y

' 4. In a slicing machine including a rotary knife and means for rotating it and a supporting structure upon which the knife is mounted, a guard plate overlying the forward face of the knife, said guard plate being provided ywith vertical slots at the bottom, in communication with the lower edge of said guard plate, and securing members aligned with said slots and adapted to hold said guard plate normally fixed in relation to said supporting structure, and a cover member, overlying said supporting structure and surrounding the upper edge of said guard plate, the apertures of the lower edge of theguard plate being of such size as to permit the upper edge of the guard plate toclear the cover member when the securinginembers are loosened.

5; In a slicing machine including a rotary knife and means for rotating it, and a supporting structure upon which the knife Vis mounted, a housing portion associated with said supporting structure and substantially shielding the rear of the knife, a guard plate secured lto said housing portion, overlying the forward face of the knife, a cover member overlying the upper portions of the supporting structure and the guard plate and enclosing the space therebetween, and an end plate removably mounted upon the supporting structure and adapted, when removed, to give access to the space between supporting structure and guard plate.

6. In a slicing machine including a rotary knife and means for rotating it, and a supporting structure upon which the knife is mounted, a housing portion associated with said supporting structure and substantially shielding the rear of the knife, a guard plate secured to said housing portion, overlying the forward face of the knife, a cover member overlying the upper portions of the supporting structure and the4 guard plate and surrounding the upper edge of the guard plate,

said guard plate being removable independently of the position of said cover member,

plate being pr o- CIJ.

when the cover member is in normal operative position.

7. In a slicing machine including a rotary knife and means for rotating it, and a supporting structure upon which the knife is mounted, a housing portion associated with said supporting structure and substantially shielding the rear of the knife, a guard plate secured to said housing portion, overlying the forward face of the knife, a cover member normally overlying the upper portions of the supporting structure and the guard plate and surrounding the upper edge of the guard plate, means for normally maintaining the guard plate in position with its upper edge within the cover member, said means being adapted, when unloosed, to permit the guard plate to drop sufficiently to permit the upper edge of the guard plate to clearl the lower edge of the cover member.

8. In a slicing machine including a rotary knife and a work supporting carriage, a pusher plate and a support therefor, the pusher plate being pivoted to said support,

` guiding means for guiding support' and pusher plate for movement toward and away from the cutting plane of the knife, said guiding means including a sleeve mounted upon the carriage and a member slida-ble in said sleeve, and a linkage connect-ion between said slidable member and said pusher plate, in engagement with said pusher plate at a point spaced away from the axis of rotation of the pusher plate.

9. In a slicing machine including a rotary knife and a work supporting carriage, a pusher plate mounted on said carriage for movement toward and away from the cutting plane of the knife, said pusher plate being pivoted in relation to said carriage, for rotation about a horizontal axis parallel with the cutting plane, and means for rotating said pusher plate about its pivot, including a linkage connection between the pusher plate and the carriage.

10. In a slicing machine including a rotary knife and a work supporting carriage, a pusher plate mounted on said carriage for movement toward and away from the cutting plane of the knife, said pusher plate being pivoted in relation to said carriage, for rotation about a horizontal axis parallel with the cutting plane, and means for rotating said pusher plate about its pivot, including a linkage connection between the pusher plate and the carriage, the pusher plate being mounted for rotation about an axis below the level of the connection between the pusher plate and the linkage.

supporting member mounted on said carriage and adapted directly to underlie and support the work during movement of said work across said supporting member and toward the cutting plane, a pusher plate adapted to engage the work, a support for said pusher plate, spaced away from the effective supporting surface of said supporting member, and a pivotal connection between said support and said pusher plate, the axis of said pivotal connection being horizontal and parallel with the cutting plane.

12. In a slicing machine including a rotary knife and a carriage and means for guiding said carriage for movement across the face and past the cutting edge of the knife, a work supporting member mounted on said carriage and adapted directly to underlie and support the work during movement of said work across said supporting member and toward the cutting plane, a pusher plate adapted to engage the work, a support for said pusher plate, spaced away from the effective supporting surface of said supporting member, and a generally horizontal pivotal connection between said support and said pusher plate, the axis of said pivotal connection being parallel with the cutting plane.

13. In a slicing machine including a rotary knife and a carriage and means for guiding said carriage for movement across the face and past the cutting edge of the knife, a work supporting member mounted on said carriage and adapted directly to underlie and support the work duringmovement of said work across said supporting member and toward the cutting plane, a pusher plate adapted to engage the work, a support for said pusher plate, spaced away from the effective supporting surface of said supporting member, and a pivotal connection between said support and said pusher plate, the axis of said pivotal connection being horizontal and parallel with the cutting plane, the lower edge of the pusher plate being out of contact with the surface of the supporting member.

14. In a slicing machine including a rotary knife and a carriage and means for guiding said carriage for movement across the face and past the cutting edge of the knife, a work supporting member mounted on said carriage and adapted directly to underlie and support the work during movement of said work across said supporting member an d toward the cutting plane, a pusher plate adapted to engage the work, an arm on which said pusher plate is mounted, guiding means for said arm, spaced away from the effective supporting surface of. the supporting member, and a pivotal connection between said arm and the pusher plate, the axis of said pivotal connection being horizontal and parallel with the cutting plane.

15. In a slicing machine which includes a knife and means for actuating it, a work supe porting carriage and means for guiding it past the cutting edge of the knife, a pusher plate support mounted upon said carriage, said support being spaced away from the effeotive work supporting portion of the carriage, a pusher plate mounted upon said pusher plate support, for movement toward and away from the cutting plane of the knife, and a tilting connection between said pusher plate and pusher plate support, adapted to permit said pusher plate to rotate about an axis generally parallel with the path of movement of the carriage. Y

16. In a slicing machine including a knife and a work supporting carriage, a manually operable pusher plate mounted on said oarriage, for bodily movement toward and away from the cutting plane of the knife, and a support for said pusher plate, said pusher plate being pivoted to said vsupport for rotation about a generally horizontal axis parallel with the cutting plane and adjacent the lower edge of the plate, and means effective positively to rotate said pusher plate about its axls.

Signed at Indianapolis, county of Marion and State of Indiana, this 6th day of May,

WILLIAM J. CAMPBELL. 

